Call to avoid panic selling

10:08am Thursday 23rd August 2007

Comments (0)   Have your say »

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is urging all sheep farmers not to panic sell their lambs in the light of difficulties created by the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

As fears of a price collapse for prime lambs continue to overshadow the industry, NSA believes that sheep farmers can play a part in preventing that from happening.

NSA chief executive Peter Morris said: "These are really tough times for sheep producers and there are difficult marketing decisions to be made.

"I know sheep farmers are extremely worried about cash flows and feed supplies but if panic selling takes place and big numbers of poorly finished lambs come onto the market, then it gives the meat trade yet another excuse to lower the price.

"We are already seeing prices drop because of the lack of competition in the marketplace and a variety of other reasons. Let's not give more ammunition to those who seek to justify unwarranted profit taking at the expense of the sheep farmer.

"NSA continues to raise the profile of both the disease issues connected to foot-and-mouth and the consequences for trade whenever and wherever we can."